China Slams Philippines for 'Disrupting Peace' in South China Sea — As PH, US, and Japan Hold Joint Drills
China's military accused the Philippines of 'disrupting' peace and stability in the South China Sea by organizing joint patrols with countries outside the region — this as the navies of the Philippines, the United States, and Japan just wrapped up joint exercises in the disputed waters.
The Southern Theatre Command spokesperson Zhai Shichen said China conducted a 'routine patrol' in the South China Sea from February 23 to 26, and warned that the military will 'resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.'
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that Filipino, American, and Japanese naval forces trained alongside each other in the South China Sea this week to strengthen cooperation among the three military allies. The trilateral exercises represent a growing strategic alignment against China's expansive claims in the region.
The dueling statements highlight the increasingly tense standoff in the West Philippine Sea, where China continues to assert its controversial nine-dash line claim over most of the South China Sea despite a 2016 international arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing's sweeping territorial claims.
For the Philippines, the joint exercises with the US and Japan signal a deepening defense partnership aimed at deterring Chinese aggression in the disputed waters. But Beijing clearly sees these multilateral drills as provocative, setting the stage for continued friction in one of the world's most contested waterways.
Source: Reuters
